Page 9 of A Sudden Romance

CHAPTER 3

Iris sat across the table from Mom as they ate their dessert after a delicious chicken dinner. Actually, Iris was the one eating while Mom looked up a book on the phone. Dad was out of town for work until Saturday.

“I can’t find that book.” Mom squinted, straining her eyes as she scrolled through her phone to find the historical fiction novel she wanted to suggest they read next.

“I’m here for an entire month. You don’t have to find it tonight.”

Reading was one of the few things Iris did with Mom. Even while she was away, they read a book and talked about it during their phone calls. Iris scooped a piece of the tart from her plate and lifted the forkful to her mouth. The buttery and sweet dessert all but melted on her tongue with just the right intensity of tartness.

“Hmm! This is the best lemon tart there is.”

“That’s what you said with the chicken.” The pendant lighting cast a spark to Mom’s golden eyes.

“I love anything with lemon, I think.”

“Let’s say we have a talented chef.” The fork clinked on porcelain when Mom scooped a piece of tart.

Iris nodded as she scraped the plate for the last bite.

As talented as he was, Sabastian would, no doubt, run a successful five-star kitchen if he ever wanted to. He’d better not feel obligated to stay and work for her family forever. She’d never eaten any of his food she didn’t like. From something as simple as oatmeal to the most gourmet dish, whenever she thought of her favorite food in the world, Sabastian’s meals came to mind.

With his shyness, though, he probably wouldn’t be comfortable running a business. Poor thing stumbled over his words whenever he tried to answer her questions. And, usually, she could get anyone to talk, given the nature of her job dealing with clients and leading team projects. However, she’d sensed Sabastian’s panic from the moment she hugged him outside the airport. His heart had literally thumped against hers. Then, when she’d given him the globe, he could barely hold the bag with shaky hands. That kept her from pushing conversation with him, but it didn’t mean she wouldn’t.

She didn’t remember him tripping over his words whenever she asked him to cook a specific meal or order something for the house. A few times—sweet moments over the years—when she was upset, he’d shown up to ask if she was okay. He’d then ask if she needed golden tea or coconut water, some of her favorite beverages. She wasn’t even going to delve into the heated looks she’d sometimes received from him. Obviously, that had nothing to do with her, but despite his almost-painful-to-be-around shyness, he was dear and kind.

Even when he’d approached to offer help for the reunion, he’d been nervous, but he hadn’t tripped over his words.

Either way, she’d seek him out after dinner if he ever returned from wherever he’d vanished to an hour ago. After serving them dinner and dessert at the same time, he’d left, saying he had things to tend to, but he had yet to return.

Perhaps simple conversation starters would get them on track.

“Honey?” Mom’s voice pulled her out of her thoughts.

“Sorry, what?” Iris shook her head.

“I hope this reunion planning isn’t too much for you.”

“Not really.” She slid her plate aside and reached for her sparkling coconut water. “Sabastian and I have a good schedule mapped out.” She might be on her own if he decided to change his mind.

“I know you want to take me shopping, but you’re going to be busy.” Mom spoke in her tender voice. “We can go shopping after Christmas.”

Iris didn’t mind spoiling her mom whenever she came into town. “Let’s go on Saturday.”

Mom grimaced, then touched her bobbed hair. “I have a hair appointment that morning.”

“We can go after your appointment.”

A soft smile curved Mom’s peachy lips before she shrugged. “I’m already looking forward to it. As long as we’re back by six.”

“I know you want to be here when Dad gets home.”

Mom’s cheeks glowed a shade of pink. Over forty years into their marriage, Mom and Dad were still madly in love.

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